Chapter 25—Experience and Labors
My reason for sending out another Testimony to my dear brethren
and sisters at this time is that the Lord has graciously manifested
Himself to me and has again revealed matters of very great importance
to those who profess to be keeping the commandments of God and
waiting for the coming of the Son of man. More than three years
elapsed between the vision given me January 3, 1875, and the recent
manifestation of God’s love and power. But before entering upon the
views recently shown me, I will give a brief sketch of my experience
for a year or two past.
May 11, 1877, we left Oakland, California, for Battle Creek, Michi-
gan. I had been afflicted with pain in my heart for several months and
suffered much with oppressed breathing on my journey across the
plains. The difficulty did not leave me when we reached Michigan.
Others occupied our home at Battle Creek, and we had no relatives
there to care for us, our children all being in California. However,
kind friends did what they could for me; but I did not feel free to
burden them when they had all the care they should have with their
own families.
A telegram had been sent to my husband, requesting his presence
at Battle Creek to give attention to important business relative to the
cause, but more especially to take the supervision of planning the large
sanitarium building. In answer to this summons he came and engaged
earnestly in preaching, writing, and holding board meetings at the
Review office, the college, and the sanitarium, nearly always working
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into the night. This wore him fearfully. He felt the importance of these
institutions, but especially of the sanitarium building, in which more
than fifty thousand dollars was being invested. His constant mental
anxiety was preparing the way for a sudden breakdown. We both felt
our danger and decided to go to Colorado to enjoy retirement and rest.
While planning for the journey, a voice seemed to say to me: “Put
the armor on. I have work for you to do in Battle Creek.” The voice
seemed so plain that I involuntarily turned to see who was speaking.
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